Obituaries, O

Contributed by June England Tuck

O'CONNOR, PATRICK - Squire Williams was called to Sulphur Creek yesterday evening to view the remains of Patrick O'Connor, found in Blue Hole north of Mt. Zion. He had been missing several days and the body was so offensive that it had to be buried at once at the creek. He is little known here and was a man of sixty years or more and was alone.
Cumby Rustler, Fri., July 3, 1908

Contributed by Elaine Nall Bay

Carl Perry Odom, 93, of Commerce died March 15, 2006, at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville following a brief illness. The son of Perry Lewis and Mima Mae Gregory Odom, he was born Oct. 24, 1912, in the Gafford Chapel Community. On July 24, 1937, he married Anna Belle Gregg in Commerce. Mr. Odom began work for the Cotton Belt Railroad in Commerce in 1941 and retired after 35 years. His favorite pastime was fishing and enjoying coffee with all his Commerce friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Larry Gregg Odom; and one sister, Naomi Knight. Carl is survived by one daughter, Carol Ann Shaw of Temple; one daughter-in-law, Donna Odom of Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren, Chris Shaw of Bastrop, Julie Elliott of Austin, Glenn Odom of Sulphur Springs and Michele Anderson of Dallas; two great-grandchildren, Jared and Jordan Shaw of Bastrop; and one nephew, Bill T. Knight of Commerce. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Friday at Gafford Chapel Cemetery with Brother Roy Lee Dittmar officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are Billy Gregg, Jimmy Gregg, Ene Ashcroft, Jerry Ben Hargrave, James "Zeke" Adams, George Robinson, J.C. Lake, John Moore, Emmet Wilbanks, Charles Bishop, Bill T. Knight, Kenneth Shaw, Glen Ward, Neal Wright, Roy Barker, Dick Walker, Herman Bennett, Horace Norris and all other coffee drinking buddies and past and present Cotton Belt Railroaders. Jones-Walker & Son Funeral Home of Commerce was in charge of arrangements.
Commerce Journal, Mar 22, 2006

Contributed by June England Tuck

John L. Odom, age 75, died Monday morning at the home of Perry Odom, his youngest son, who lived in the Gafford Chapel community. He was stricken with paralysis some three months ago while living with his eldest son, Hatch Odom, at Greenville, from which he never recovered. Having fallen from a chair and died suddenly due paralysis of the heart. He was an ex-Confederate soldier. Burial was made in the Gafford Chapel cemetery.
Cumby Rustler, Fri., July 21, 1916

Contributed by June England Tuck

Serena J Oliver Of Miller Grove, died suddenly Sunday morning and was buried at Miller Grove. She had been feeling well and was resting well when her daughter arouse to prepare breakfast. Mr. Oliver went her bed and found, to his horror, that her spirit and quietly passed away.

Contributed by June England Tuck

J.P. Orr, pioneer citizen of Hopkins County, died Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carrie Gibson, in Winnsboro, after a lingering illness. He was a native of Georgia. He is survived by his wife and the following children: Bob Orr, Pickton; Scrap Orr, Nelta; Jack Orr, Rattan, Okla.; Phil Orr, Davis, Okla; I. N. Orr, Shreveport; Mrs. Carrie Gibson, Winnsboro; Mrs. Elmer Holland, Davis, Okla.; He was the step-father of T. M. Robertson, Sulphur Springs; and a brother of Sims Orr, Rattan, Okla. Funeral services will be held at the Woodland cemetery. The deceased was nearing his 91st birthday.

Contributed by June England Tuck

Will H. Orren, age 67, died at his home in Saltillo Thursday night after a serious illness of several weeks with cancer of the liver. Surviving are his wife, the former Miss Emma Bennett, five sons, C. A., Curtis, Hick and Murrell of Saltillo, and Loyd of Campbell; four brothers, M. D. Orren of Saltillo, Eli Orren of Commerce, Lige Orren of Ft. Worth, (gives only three,) and three sisters, Mrs. Myrtie Roden, Mrs. Annie Phyner of Dallas, Mrs. Grace Ray of Ft. Worth. Funeral services were held at Stouts Creek, conducted by Rev W. D. Hollingsworth.
Hopkins County Echo, Sept. 7, 1934

Contributed by June England Tuck

OSHIELD, LOUIS - Died at his home near Old Tarrant Saturday night after a week's illness of pneumonia. The burial occurred at Old Tarrant, conducted Mr. Wm. Midgett.
Sulphur Springs Gazette, Fri., May 29, 1908

Contributed by June England Tuck

B. F. Otts died January 12, 1930, at his home near Martin Springs, after an illness of one week. He was born November 1, 1861, in Georgia. Was married to Miss Lucy Goss, she having died within a few years. To this union one child was born, Mrs. Cora Jennings, of Martin Springs. He again married, this time Miss Mary Owens who died some twenty years ago. To this union eight children were born, seven of whom survive him - Owen and C. C. Otts, Sulphur Springs; M. R. Otts, Rome, Geogia; Mrs. Sanford Bozeman, Washington, D. C. ; Mrs. Mack Preutt, H. L. Otts and Mrs. Jewel Stephens, Dallas. His body was laid to rest in the Martin Springs cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Bro. Walker, assisted by Henry McCorkle.

Contributed by June England Tuck

Mrs. B. F. Otts, the wife of Mr. B. F. Ottis, passed away April 9, 1909, and was buried in the Martin Springs cemetery. She was born and raised in Georgia, and moved to this county about 13 years ago and lived in the Martin Springs community until her death. She leaves a husband and nine children. She was a member of the Methodist Church) ( It was later reported - J. W Owens and wife has left for their home in Rome, Georgia, after spending several days with their son-in-law, B. F. Otts, south of town. They came to attend the funeral of their daughter, Mrs. B. F. Otts, but owing to miss- connections arrived too late.

Contributed by June England Tuck

We regret to report the death of Mrs. Mattie Owens who died last Friday about 11 o'clock; was laid to rest in the Connor cemetery. She leaves a husband and three children, father, and three brothers.
Sulphur Springs Gazette, Fri., Feb. 19, 1909, Independence column dated Feb. 15th

Contributed by June England Tuck

OWENS, NEWT, MRS. - Died at her home near Starr Ridge last Wednesday night, April 8, 1908, at 11 o'clock. Her remains were laid to rest in the Green Pond cemetery. Bro. Warren Jones conducted the services. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church at Elm Ridge.
Sulphur Springs Gazette